I (David) met with a pastor today - he lives in the dry area between Mt Meru and Mt Kilimanjaro. We had lunch together; not sure if he'd eaten much in the last few days.
I've known Pastor K as long as we've been in the country and have been most impressed by his gentleness and humility.
As far as I'm aware he's never approached anyone for money or support, even though he lives in a very poor rural area. He is a highly respected leader in two regions, overseer (Bishop) of 15 churches.
He has planted 3 full crops this year, each of which failed, on which he relied not only for food but for school fees.
People are going from house to house in his village, asking neighbours to share anything they might have. In this culture its amazing how they look after each other.
Two days ago a couple of ladies came to K's house in dire straights. He asked his wife if they had anything. She told him there was a little porridge left for the kids, so they shared it.
As we ate lunch, he was incredibly embarrassed to share these needs, emphasizing that he knew we were missionaries, all of us relying on a common Provider, and only did so because he felt that God prompted him to contact me and get me to stand with him in prayer. I promised not only to do that, but also that I would knock on doors.
Tonight we had our former mission team over to our new house and shared with the leaders about the above. They immediately agreed this man is a quality individual and feel a responsibility to do what they can to help.
Last year we organised aid for a local village - this is much worse, people are dying, children and elderly being the most vulnerable.
We are approaching local business and Rotary, and are organising ourselves as mission leaders re mobilizing local resources to address possibilities of the same in coming years, as well as introducing farming methods that will be far more productive (i.e. Foundations for Farming), water projects, etc...
Hopefully that will mean no primary dependence on the West for aid in the future ... however, the need is immediate.
Please pray!
If you have insight as to ways that we can meet this kind of need, both on the short, medium and long-term, let us know. So much of this is avoidable, remembering, as Meg Wheatley points out, world changing initiatives begin with conversation.
Speak on!
(Photos pending)
I've known Pastor K as long as we've been in the country and have been most impressed by his gentleness and humility.
As far as I'm aware he's never approached anyone for money or support, even though he lives in a very poor rural area. He is a highly respected leader in two regions, overseer (Bishop) of 15 churches.
He has planted 3 full crops this year, each of which failed, on which he relied not only for food but for school fees.
People are going from house to house in his village, asking neighbours to share anything they might have. In this culture its amazing how they look after each other.
Two days ago a couple of ladies came to K's house in dire straights. He asked his wife if they had anything. She told him there was a little porridge left for the kids, so they shared it.
As we ate lunch, he was incredibly embarrassed to share these needs, emphasizing that he knew we were missionaries, all of us relying on a common Provider, and only did so because he felt that God prompted him to contact me and get me to stand with him in prayer. I promised not only to do that, but also that I would knock on doors.
Tonight we had our former mission team over to our new house and shared with the leaders about the above. They immediately agreed this man is a quality individual and feel a responsibility to do what they can to help.
Last year we organised aid for a local village - this is much worse, people are dying, children and elderly being the most vulnerable.
We are approaching local business and Rotary, and are organising ourselves as mission leaders re mobilizing local resources to address possibilities of the same in coming years, as well as introducing farming methods that will be far more productive (i.e. Foundations for Farming), water projects, etc...
Hopefully that will mean no primary dependence on the West for aid in the future ... however, the need is immediate.
Please pray!
If you have insight as to ways that we can meet this kind of need, both on the short, medium and long-term, let us know. So much of this is avoidable, remembering, as Meg Wheatley points out, world changing initiatives begin with conversation.
Speak on!
(Photos pending)
Comments
On a similar theme (though with differences to your situation), today's Globe had this column:
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/enviro-romanticism-is-hurting-africa/article1222806/
My family and I are standing with you in prayer. I have been to very poor places with my Dad. We know that it is heartbreaking to be watching suffering when there is so much wealth on this earth. We'd like to offer what we can in practical ways. I don't have much right now, but what I have I would like to give...
Please let us know what we can do. No request is too small.
kisa